8 possible candidates to replace Jim Mallinder as Northampton rugby director

The will now embark on a global search in their quest for a replacement

To his credit, Stuart Lancaster has re-established himself as a top coach since joining Leinster at the beginning of last season. Lancaster resigned as national team boss in November 2015 following a miserable World Cup campaign when England failed to survive the pool stage.

Richards has done an outstanding job at the Falcons and would definitely steady the ship at Franklin's Gardens. There is the question of whether Richards would consider leaving Newcastle, who he has transformed into genuine Top 6 contenders in the last 12 months.

Ex-Bath boss Ford also had a lengthy spell as England defence coach, in addition to heading up the coaching team at French heavyweights Toulon. He is currently coaching in the United States but may be attracted back by the Saints post.

South Africa’s 2007 World Cup-winning boss pretty much finds himself linked with every top job that becomes available. His pedigree is an outstanding one, and it would be no surprise if he featured prominently in Northampton’s thoughts.

Like Lancaster, he is an ex-England head coach. He led Bath to European Cup glory in 1998, has also coached Scotland and was latterly in charge at Bristol. He is also currently available and could, at least, do a job to the end of the season.

Unemployed since leading South Africa to a third-placed finish at the 2015 World Cup, Heyneke Meyer has been linked with a number of positions in recent months. Meyer was previously employed by the Tigers but was forced to step down as head coach soon after his appointment in 2008 due to family reasons. He, therefore, may look at the Premiership as unfinished business truck

Highly thought of in France after successful stints in charge of Stade Francais and Montpellier. After leading Stade to final appearances in both the Top 14 and Heineken Cup, Fabien Galthié moved to Montpellier in 2010, claiming a league title in his first season in charge.

A Saints legend who needs no introduction. Grayson left the Saints after 19 years’ service in November 2012, and since then has been coaching on an individual basis with a number of players at a variety of clubs, and working with BT Sport and the BBC as a pundit.